Recreational Fishing Data Downloads
The Marine Recreational Information Program encourages its partners and stakeholders to download its recreational fishing data and catch and effort estimates.
Use the links below to download, review, or analyze the recreational fishing data our state and regional partners collect and the estimates our scientists produce.
A searchable database of catch, effort, and fishing participation statistics is also available on our Recreational Fishing Data Queries page.
Recent Updates
For a complete timeline of data additions and updates, visit our Recreational Fishing Estimate Updates page. To receive notification of updates to MRIP data, estimates, and queries, please subscribe to our email service.
General Survey Data Downloads
MRIP Survey Data (SAS, CSV)
- TRIP_YYYYW.sas7bdat: Trip-level data (analogous to MRFSS i1 dataset) and variables required for estimation. Contains one record per angler trip interview (identified by id_code).
- CATCH_YYYYW.sas7bdat: Catch-level data and variables required for estimation. Contains one record per species for each angler trip interview.
- SIZE_YYYYW.sas7bdat: Fish-level length and weight data and variables required for estimation. Contains one record per fish caught and measured or weighed by interviewer.
More information about each file type can be found in the MRIP Read Me. Variable formats and descriptions can be found in MRIP_Survey_Variables (.xls).
Large Pelagics Survey Data Downloads
Large Pelagics Survey Data and Estimates (SAS, CSV)
The Large Pelagics Survey (LPS) is conducted on the Atlantic coast from Virginia through Maine. To complement NOAA Fisheries’ Highly Migratory Species management, these states are divided into two regions: Northern, which stretches from Maine through northern New Jersey, and Southern, which stretches from southern New Jersey to Virginia. (New Jersey is divided along the border of Atlantic and Ocean counties.) Due to the limited scale of recreational fishing for large pelagic fish, several states are further combined into two-state groups. These include Maryland and Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and New Hampshire and Maine.
Note: Catch and effort data collected before 2011 are not broken into monthly datasets. For example, Catch_2010, Main_2010, and Size_2010 contain all catch data collected between June and November 2010, and LPTS_2010 contains all effort data collected between June and November 2010.
Large Pelagics Intercept Survey Datasets
- CATCH_YYYYMM: Catch-level data and variables required for estimation. Each record contains catch totals by major catch types (e.g., kept, released alive, or discarded dead) in numbers.
- MAIN_YYYYMM: Boat-level data and variables required for estimation. Contains one record per respondent interviewed.
- SIZE_YYYYMM: Fish-level length and weight data and variables required for estimation. Contains one record per fish caught and measured or weighed by interviewer.
Large Pelagics Telephone Survey Datasets
- LPTS_YYYYMMM: Private mode effort estimates. Contains one record for each trip profiled. (Note: The LPTS_2002 dataset is not available for download. It will be provided at a later date.)
All Estimates Datasets
- All_ESTS_YYYY: Catch and effort estimates by month, mode, region, and species.
The LPS is conducted only in Atlantic Coast states from Virginia through Maine. To complement NOAA Fisheries HMS management, these states are divided into two regions: Southern (Virginia through Southern New Jersey) and Northern (Northern New Jersey through Maine). New Jersey is divided along the border of Atlantic and Ocean Counties. Due to the limited scale of recreational LPS fishing, several states are combined into two state groups: Maryland/Delaware, Connecticut/Rhode Island, and New Hampshire/Maine.
For more information on each type of file and the data available, click here.
Estimates Downloads
MRIP Estimates (SAS, CSV)
2020 MRIP Effort Estimates: Waves 1-4 (XLSX)
Calibrated estimates are available for the Atlantic and Gulf coasts beginning in 1981. Variable formats and descriptions can be found in MRIP_Estimate_Variables (.xls).
Template Programs
Our template programs are available in R and SAS, and can be modified to run custom domain analyses. A domain is defined as a sub-level of the stratified estimation design. Typically, these domains are sub-state geographic divisions based on county groups or—if the domain cannot be defined by county borders—sampled site groups.
These template programs are meant to be used with our survey datasets from 2004 and beyond. More information about each program template and the datasets required to run them can be found in the MRIP Read Me.
To download the template programs below, right-click the filename and select “Save link as….”
Catch Estimation
Catch Estimation for Custom Domains is a template program that estimates catch totals using MRIP public-use datasets. It is meant to define custom domains with the information in the TRIP_YYYYW dataset. Catch is estimated within these domains by merging trip information with the CATCH_YYYYW dataset.
Direct Angler Trip Estimation
Directed Angler Trips (Effort) for Custom Domains is a template program that estimates directed trips using MRIP public-use datasets. It is meant to define custom domains with the information in the TRIP_YYYYW dataset and to estimate total angler trips within these domains. Catch information can be used to define domains by merging the CATCH_YYYYW datasets onto the TRIP_YYYYW datasets.
- Direct Angler Trip Estimation Template Program (SAS)
- Direct Angler Trip Estimation Template Program (R)
Length Frequencies
Length Frequencies for Single Species within Custom Domains is a template program that estimates length frequencies using MRIP public-use datasets. It is meant to calculate length frequencies (in numbers of fish and as proportions) with the information in the SIZE_YYYYW datasets. Custom estimation domains can be defined by merging the TRIP_YYYYW datasets onto the SIZE_YYYYW datasets.
